Engine cuts when stopping and error code p1131

Recently my car has started dying when i goto brake. I've noticed this happens mainly 5-10 mins after starting the car and driving if i drive longer then that i've never had the problem. It happens once every 2 days to a week. I have got error code p1131 twice now. once yesterday and once 200 miles before that. Today i was at about 30 mph about to make a left turn onto a street and it cut as i was braking so steering got hard and had to turn wheel hard to turn it then just started engine back up. Car doesn't shudder or jump or anything, just quietly the engine turns off and i have to start it back up again. Any help with what to do to fix it and a site that i could self fix it would be great. Never acts up while i'm shifting or anything, just occasionally when i goto brake. Thanks in advance for your help. I've change the spark plugs(and gapped them) did fuel injector cleaner and added a new air filter. I have stopped running the AC just to prevent any extra work for the engine for now til the problem is resolve.

Stalling occured BEFORE fuel injector cleaner

I believe that code has to do with the oxygen sensor before the cat converter. There's a good chance you've damaged it with the injector cleaner .... if any gets thru the engine unburned, the sensor and cat are at risk. So you may have to change it out.

But first check to see the harness is OK. You might try removing it to scrape away any build-up from the enclosure. Do not use any chemicals. If that doesn't work, remove it again and carfully stick sensor end only into an open gas range burner. These are both "long shots" ... you'll probably have to replace it.

Others may have better suggestions.

Right on the oxygen sensor. My manual indicates "lack of heated oxygen sensor switch. Sensor indicates lean". 12Ounce has good advice. I'd try what he suggests before changing it out. I think it's causing a lean condition that is stalling your motor out before it fully warms up. In addition to that, check around the manifold for a vacuum leak. Replace the PCV valve just as good maintenance if you haven't done that yet.

If too much air is being suddenly introduced into the system, might that trigger a lean code ? Codes can often be misleading, especially if air is getting in without passing the Mass Air Flow sensor and not being metered Idle Air Control valve. We can assume it's an Automatic trans Escort, but what is the year ?

I believe that code has to do with the oxygen sensor before the cat converter. There's a good chance you've damaged it with the injector cleaner .... if any gets thru the engine unburned, the sensor and cat are at risk. So you may have to change it out.

But first check to see the harness is OK. You might try removing it to scrape away any build-up from the enclosure. Do not use any chemicals. If that doesn't work, remove it again and carfully stick sensor end only into an open gas range burner. These are both "long shots" ... you'll probably have to replace it.

Others may have better suggestions.

car was stalling before the fuel injector cleaner, the cleaner was an attempt to help the problem since it might have been dirty.

If too much air is being suddenly introduced into the system, might that trigger a lean code ? Codes can often be misleading, especially if air is getting in without passing the Mass Air Flow sensor and not being metered Idle Air Control valve. We can assume it's an Automatic trans Escort, but what is the year ?

it's a 98 manual

Unfortunately the chemical manufacturers don't share with us the risks of using their products ... they only want the bucks! If an engine is running well, then occassionally a little (not too much!) cleaner may be a good maintenance practice (I don't do it). But if the engine is already misfiring, there is a good chance the cleaner (which often contains methanol) will pass thru the combustion chamber unburned. Not good!

It is better to remove the injectors from the engine for a manual cleaning on the injector inlets ... plus a pressurized cleaning thru the injector body if you have the cleaning set-up.

But your symptoms may be caused by something else entirely ... I'm just pointing out an unlikely possibility.